Before departure you should have determined if you are completely prepared for the flight and any emergencies that may arise; checked that all navigation planning, navigation equipment and aircraft equipment requirements have been met; lodged your detailed flight plan — in the form of a Flight Note — with a responsible person; and finally, assessed that your own physical and psychological condition is conducive to safe flight.

6.1 Being prepared for an emergency

6.2 Planning and equipment check list

• Have I established the safest route and minimum safe altitude; avoiding high ground, tiger country, hazards, restricted areas and CTA/CTR — or airspace where a functioning transponder is mandatory?
  
  
• Have I double checked that all magnetic bearings and distances on the flight plan have been measured correctly?
  
  
• Have I checked the locations and the suitability of refuelling stops, of the destination airfield and of alternate landing areas? Have I checked their details in ERSA including ASIC requirements? For airfields not listed in ERSA have I checked with the owner/operator about the airfield dimensions, slope, condition, approach and departure limitations, animals, power lines and other obstructions? Is my skill level sufficient to safely land and take-off at those airfields?
  
  
• Have I checked the en route, destination and alternate airfields' weather, cloud base and visibility (ARFOR, TAFs, METARS and surface chart) and NOTAM (ADs, ALAs and restricted areas)?
  
  
• Have I calculated density altitude for the departure and destination airfields, and ascertained that the effect on take-off, climb-out and landing performance at the expected aircraft weight will still provide an adequate safety margin?
  
  
• Have I left a Flight Note, showing the itinerary, with a responsible person who knows what action to take if I fail to check in by the agreed time?
  
  
• Have I checked that watch, compass, ASI and altimeter function okay and that nothing is placed in such proximity that compass operation will be affected?
  
  
• Should I be equipped with a functional VHF transceiver; if so, have I noted/loaded all the required frequencies?
  
  
• Should I be equipped with a satellite-compatible 406MHz radio distress beacon?
  
  
• Do I have approved life jackets on board, if any part of my flight is over water?
  
  
• Do I need to take an inflatable life raft with emergency survival kit?
  
  
• Have I back-up batteries for handheld equipment?
  
  
• Am I wearing clothing suitable for the surface conditions, in case of an unplanned landing?
  
  
• Should there be a first aid kit in the aircraft?
  
  
• Should I take an extra supply of prescribed medication?
  
  
• Is there an adequate water supply in the aircraft?
  
  
• Is tie-down gear loaded?
  
  
• Have I physically confirmed that the actual fuel load provides a reasonable margin, on top of the flight plan needs — including the reserve?
  
  
• Has the fuel in the tanks been physically checked for suitability, quality and water or other contamination?
  
  
• Have I checked aircraft weight & balance with everything and everyone loaded?

6.3 Personal fitness for flight

Illness?

Do I have an illness or any symptoms of an illness or disorder?

Medication and other drugs?

Have I been taking/mixing prescription, over-the-counter or 'recreational' drugs?

Stress?

Am I under psychological pressure from the job or personal circumstances? Am I worried about financial matters, health problems, family problems or discord?

Alcohol?

Have I been consuming alcohol within the previous 8 hours? (Even within 8–16 hours after consumption, blood alcohol levels can be significant. If tested by an authorised person, the permissible blood alcohol reading is less than 0.02, which is to allow for any anomaly caused by — for example — the alcohol (or similar) content of some medical preparations. Would my average alcohol consumption be classified at greater than 'very low risk'?

Fatigue?

Am I tired or inadequately rested?

Eating and drinking?

Am I inadequately nourished and/or dehydrated?

[ The next section in the airmanship and safety sequence is the section describing the
Procedure when 'lost' ]